The Opposition has slammed the State Government for allegedly intervening to axe a major affordable housing initiative on the Gold Coast.
The Lakesview at Robina development was originally slated to deliver 550 desperately needed affordable homes.
However, the project has reportedly been dramatically altered, with the affordable properties scrapped and replaced with standard, market-rate housing.
The opposition has accused the Government of quietly advising developers to ditch the affordable housing component in favor of the more lucrative market-rate units.
Shadow Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon did not hold back, labeling the government’s apparent directive as “insane”.
“I read this and thought it was some sort of sick joke,” Ms Scanlon said.
“It is insane that the LNP would direct a developer to cut affordable housing if they want an approval”.
“It is extraordinary that Jarrod Bleijie has used his power to tell a developer we don’t actually want any housing for frontline workers”.
Scanlon emphasised that local residents are already facing severe struggles just to find a place to live.
“The fact is we are all getting inundated with people who are in desperate need of affordable housing,” she said.
“Yesterday I spoke to a woman who has four kids, she’s in crisis accommodation and she was in tears because there is nowhere on the Gold Coast for her to live.
“Yet the LNP’s response to that is to kill affordable housing in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast where rents and housing prices have skyrocketed past Sydney”.
The State Government has hit back, saying it remains committed to boosting housing supply across the sunshine state.
They’ve confirmed Queensland currently has over 6000 social and affordable homes either being constructed or under contract, blaming the former Labor Government for the state’s housing crisis.
“Those mandates that they talk a lot about delivered nothing,” Housing Minister Sam O’Connor said.
